About Software Corp. ships 5PM Term 3.0 for Microsoft Windows and Macintosh; Offers true cross-platform compatibility for PC and Mac Terminal Emulation users.

CUPERTINO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 28, 1994--About Software Corp., a leading provider of terminal emulation and client/server development tools for Macintosh, Monday announced the availability of 5PM Term 3.0.

The new version provides full cross-platform support for both the Microsoft Windows and Macintosh operating systems. 5PM Term, which was first released in 1991, was previously available only on the Macintosh.

"Many of our 5PM Term Macintosh corporate users have been asking for a single standard application for both Macintosh and Windows," said Killko Caballero, president and chief executive officer, About Software Corp. "5PM Term 3.0's new cross-platform compatibility allows mainframe or mini-computer terminal emulation to look and feel like either a Windows or a Macintosh application, depending on the unique desktop needs of the organization. A key advantage to our customers is that technical support and training will become streamlined because of the common code shared by the two products."

Organizations with heterogeneous Windows and Macintosh environments will benefit by having a consistent interface for accessing applications on a range of systems, including IBM mainframe, AS/400, UNIX, VAX, Unisys and Honeywell/Bull. 5PM Term can be used to access online Bulletin Board Services and the Internet as well.

Additionally, new features in version 3.0, such as the Watch Me mode and the user-defined menu, enhance the ability of end-users to write scripts and macros automatically to customize the look and feel of their personal desktops, whether they are running Windows, Macintosh or Power Macintosh.

5PM Term 3.0

5PM Term 3.0 provides enhanced emulation for a wide range of terminals (3270, tn3270, 5250, tn5250, VT420, PC-ANSI, UTS 60, T27, VIP7800) that allows users to connect to a variety of computers, including IBM mainframe, AS/400, UNIX, VAX, Unisys and Honeywell/Bull machines. Multiple sessions with several different hosts can be active at the same time.

The open, modular 5PM architecture also allows 5PM Term to be a run-time for graphical user interfaces (GUIs) developed with About Software's 5PM Pro and 5PM Pro CS development environments. The different `flavors' of 5PM Term come with terminal emulation, file transfer and various connectivity methods to allow users to connect to their systems of choice.

In addition to the Microsoft Windows/Macintosh cross-platform application code base, new features of version 3.0 include:

-- Watch Me mode, which generates a script by recording all local and remote user actions on a given session

-- Floating and session window-resident toolbars

-- Cross-platform document exchange (scripts, sessions, toolbars, etc.)

-- User-definable menu for macros and shortcuts

-- Status bar showing macro labels and other feedback information

-- Extended scripting command allowing most 5PM Pro commands to be used

-- New keyboard, menu and mouse shortcuts

-- Built-in text editor for simple notes

-- New utilities, including buffered keyboard, text capture, session directory

-- Enhanced terminal printing support

-- Enhanced hotspots

Windows-specific

-- On-line help

-- WinSock 1.1 API support

-- Windows for Workgroups 3.11 support

Macintosh-specific

-- Apple scriptability

-- SLIP and PPP support

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Pricing and Availability

5PM Term 3.0 is available now for Macintosh and Microsoft Windows. It may be purchased through a competitive upgrade program which allows customers to upgrade to 5PM Term-Office from any other terminal emulation product for $89.

Standard single copy retail pricing for 5PM Term-Office is $375. The program is in effect through Jan. 31, 1995. 5PM Term-Office provides enhanced emulation for 3270, tn3270, 5250, tn5250, VT420 and PC-ANSI terminals for connectivity to IBM mainframe, AS/400, UNIX and VAX machines. Contact the company for pricing regarding connectivity to other environments.

Educational Institutions

The new educational institution pricing schedule, listed below, includes 5PM Term-Office for Macintosh and Windows, 5PM Pro and tools for file transfer and TCP/IP connectivity.

Up to 100 users:     $15,000
Up to 200 users:     $20,000
Up to 500 users:     $30,000
Unlimited:           $40,000

VARs/OEMs

The 5PM Partners Program provides competitive discounts and co-marketing activities including lead generation and incentive programs. 5PM Partners receive both pre-sales and post-sales support directly from About Software to help easily integrate 5PM products into their current offerings. As an incentive, resellers who are authorized through the 5PM Partners Program by Dec. 31, 1994, will receive a complimentary copy of 5PM Pro, the development environment that includes 5PM Term. Standard single copy retail pricing for 5PM Pro is $1,970.

The 5PM Product Family

The 5PM product family (5PM Term, 5PM Pro and 5PM Pro CS) offers full-functioned terminal emulation for legacy systems, graphical user interface (GUI) front-ending and client/server database access in heterogeneous computing environments.

This broad range of products for both developers and end-users provides companies with an integrated and consistent connectivity solution. The modularity of the 5PM product line allows About Software to offer its customers increased flexibility in selecting connectivity products tailored to their individual needs.

About Software Corp., headquartered in Cupertino, develops and markets connectivity and client/server development software for Apple Macintosh, Power Macintosh and Microsoft Windows. 5PM products are available directly from About Software Corp. and through the 5PM Partners Program's distributors, VARs and system integrators.

The company can be reached at 10601 South De Anza Boulevard, Suite 105, Cupertino, Calif. 95014. Tel: [phone]; Fax: [phone]; AppleLink: ASCUS; AOL: ASCUS; Compuserve: 73243,36; E-mail: [e-mail].

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Note to Editors: 5PM is a trademark of About Software Corp. All other trade names are trademarks of their respective manufacturers.

CONTACT: About Software Corp.

              Alistair Woodman, 408/725-4242
              E-mail: [e-mail]
                     or
              Cole Communications
              Calisa Cole, 415/324-3152
              E-mail: [e-mail]